Experimental myocardial infarction: effects of a lipid peroxide, 13-hydroperoxy linoleic acid on coronary circulation in rats.

Effects of 13-hydroperoxy linoleic acid on coronary circulation and vasculature were investigated using an electrocardiographic (ECG) and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) techniques. After the intra left ventricular injection of 13-hydroperoxy linoleic acid to rats the ischemic ECG changes, i.e., elevations of the ST segment and T wave, were observed with the reduction of systemic blood pressure and heart rate. By the SEM examination, the endothelial injuries were found with the platelet aggregation in the blood flow and the adherence of leukocytes. Thus it was clearly found that 13-hydroperoxy linoleic acid caused the various endothelial injuries and thrombus formation leading to coronary arterial occlusion. These results suggest that lipid peroxide may play an important role in the pathogenesis of vascular diseases especially in coronary vascular bed and take part in the generation of the severe myocardial ischemia.